Barangay Ginebra Kings

[BlackMamba08]

Susmaryosep dapat makarating kay Ramon Ang. Nakaksira lang sa symbol at morality ng Ginebra. This Francis should be replaced ala Ayala. Puna ng puna Ginebra fans na walang isip si Rice, eh, meron naman tayong version na ganito at parang bading o walang isip na estudyante na naghahamon at nag bu bully sa twitter.

 

ENOUGH OF THIS STUPIDITY, ALFRANCIS. Hindi ka pa rin nagbabago. Makakarating kay Chairman

I agree sa mga nag sabi, nag post ng ginawa ni Chua. Napakawalang class mga chief, Dinamay pa si Palito na in a much better place na, dinamay pa yung tao na namayapa na sa kawalan niya ng class.

[photographer]

THE rivalry between Barangay Ginebra and Meralco is just starting to blossom as the two teams face off in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals for the second straight season.

But if you dig deeper, there’s more history between the two teams as well as the players involved in the title series that unfolds with Game One on Friday night in Lucena.

We count down some trivia from 10 to 1.

10 – This is the 10th finals appearance of Ranidel de Ocampo, who made it to his first finals stint in the 2008 Fiesta Conference with Air21, coincidentally against Ginebra, which won in seven games.

9 – Allen Durham has recorded or at least came close to a triple-double (minimum seven assists) nine times this conference, averaging 25.4 points, 20.1 boards, and 6.8 assists, along with 1.3 blocks in 39.9 minutes in 16 games so far. And expect the reigning Best Import to keep stuffing the stats sheet for the Bolts to get over the hump this time.

8 – Joe Devance is going for his eighth championship – all under Tim Cone - to climb to second most among active players, in a tie with Marc Pingris and Danny Seigle.

7 –Meralco is searching for its first championship in its seventh season in the PBA after buying the Sta. Lucia franchise, which Norman Black also coincidentally steered to its first franchise title in the 2001 Governors’ Cup, beating San Miguel Beer.

6 – Six imports have led Ginebra to a championship, and Justin Brownlee is looking to become the first import to win two titles with the Gin Kings, according to chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III.

5 – San Miguel Corp. teams have won the last five finals meetings against their MVP counterparts – 2017 Commissioner’s Cup between SMB and TNT, 2016 Governors Cup between Ginebra and Meralco, 2014 Commissioner’s Cup between San Mig Coffee and TNT, 2012 Commissioner’s Cup featuring B-Meg and TNT, and in the 2011 Governors Cup pitting Petron and TNT. The last time an MVP team won over an SMC side in the finals was in the 2011 Commissioner’s Cup when TNT beat Ginebra. Can SMC sustain its run or will the MVP group break it?

4 – Sonny Jaworski is undeniably the most famous Ginebra player ever, but the Living Legend also has an affinity with Meralco, having played four seasons for the Reddy Kilowatts in the defunct MICAA, leading the team to the 1971 title before he was banned later that year for assaulting a referee.

3 – It’s hard to imagine that multi-titled and Grand Slam coaches Tim Cone and Norman Black have met only thrice in the finals stage, all won by Cone –1995 Governors Cup between Alaska and SMB, 2014 Commissioner’s Cup featuring San Mig Coffee and TNT, and the 2016 Governors Cup between the Gin Kings and the Bolts. Can Cone stretch his streak or will Black finally get one?

2 - Norman Black, though, has the distinction as the only coach to lead four teams to the finals at least twice – SMB, Sta. Lucia, TNT, and Meralco, according to nine-year sportswriting veteran Jonas Terrado. Can he steer the Bolts to their first franchise crown?

1 - Greg Slaughter is relishing his first Finals appearance in his fourth year in the league. Can the towering slotman join the party after missing out in the last edition of the season-ending tournament due to his knee injury?

 

[Richmond]

Good Read about Glen Rice Jr's letdown

May reputation na pala sya, no wonder no NBA team want him. Layo sa ama.

 

Rice was overcooked

http://m.philstar.com/314195/show/a9926989755812eefd21db647ddb9a86/

 

What pained Gregorio was when he tried to pacify Rice after his ejection, the import shot back at him, saying, “why are you protecting your grandson?” It was in reference to Gregorio being a godfather of Ferrer’s girlfriend’s sister. “I felt the frustration of a father who was let down by a son,” he said. “I thought he had changed. We were ready for a Game 5. I’m speechless, what Glen did was uncalled for. I’m sad that he didn’t see the bigger picture. He has to learn a lesson from this. His emotional outburst created too many consequences. We were hoping to make it to the finals then boom, the balloon burst. His contract has clauses to penalize him for unruly conduct during a game so we’ll figure out what to do. What a waste of talent.”

Sa tingin nyo may ibang teams pa kaya susugal sa kanya in the future ?

[junix]

Sa tingin nyo may ibang teams pa kaya susugal sa kanya in the future ?

sayang magaling pa naman but if you have a questionable attitude you're gone...so i doubt chief...i think he just played his last game and likewise paid his last fine to the pba and TnT.

[Richmond]

sayang magaling pa naman but if you have a questionable attitude you're gone...so i doubt chief...i think he just played his last game and likewise paid his last fine to the pba and TnT.

Naalala ko nung 1st time naglaro si Tony Harris dito parang ganun din ugali nya nung nag mellow down nung mga bandang huli na punta nya dito nawala din laro nya

[daphne loves derby]

sayang magaling pa naman but if you have a questionable attitude you're gone...so i doubt chief...i think he just played his last game and likewise paid his last fine to the pba and TnT.

 

 

Sa tingin nyo may ibang teams pa kaya susugal sa kanya in the future ?

 

i agree mga sir, pero look at henry walker na may past attitude issue din sa MVP team, he played well sa Blackwater. So I think hindi pa huli ang lahat ke Rice Jr. Kailangan lang mag mature pa ng konti at mabuntal nung ama.. lol

 

pero para ke nash racela, si kevin ferrer pa din ang may kasalanan hindi ang bulok na ugali ni Rice Jr.

[Agent_mulder]

Back on the topic,

 

That is actually good news for us.

 

No plan to reinstate banned Nabong despite Meralco size disadvantage vs Ginebra

Read more at http://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/news/meralco-sticking-with-undersized-frontline-as-kelly-nabong-suspension-wont-by-lifted-any-time-soon-says-norman-black#ytpdFlKzWFaVIcsb.99

 

Even if we had Kelly Nabong, we would still have a size disadvantage, so it doesn’t really (matter),” Black said. “Either way, they’re the biggest team in the league, so that size advantage is going to be there no matter what.”

 

“The key is: can we control our defensive rebounds?” he added. “We’ve been number one on that the entire conference and if we can continue to do that, we’ll be able to compete – whether we have a size disadvantage or not.”

 

His absence won't be hardly felt by Meralco dahil andyan si RDO, andyan din si Hodge, Dillinger at if need be, si Faundo, talagang pinalakas ni MVP ang Meralco to try and dethrone Ginebra. Pero hindi kaya psy-war lang 'yang pag-ban na 'yan ke Nabong to lull them into a false sense of security.

 

 

Yes, si Slaughter parang nakatingin lang at madalas hindi nag a attempt to block shots of opponents. Parang gusto ng makatikim ng mura ala Sonny

 

'Yun nga ang nakaka-asar ke Slaughter pag nasa loob, me 7 footer nga sila pero hindi naman naga-attemp to block shots, buti pa sila Japeth na habol ng habol ng bola sa ere, at least mai-intimidate na ang kalaban in his next attempt

 

Sa tingin nyo may ibang teams pa kaya susugal sa kanya in the future ?

 

Malamang tnt pa din ang susugal sa kanya in the future, 'yan ang napuna ko ke Rice, Jr. nung unang beses ko s'ya makitang maglaro, he seems to be bothered sa call/s and non-cal/s at maging sa psywar ng dumedepensa sa kanya. Tnt is known for bringing in hot-headed and/or volatile na imports gaya ni Silas Mills (who also played for Ginebra and left them), Terrence Leather, Ivan Johnson at ngayon Rice. Ang smb meron din noon in Chivous at Art Long

Edited October 12, 2017 by Agent_mulder

[daphne loves derby]

Good Read..

 

Experts opinions

 

SPORTS5’S FIVE ON FIVE: GINEBRA-MERALCO ROUND 2 FOR THE 2017 GOVERNORS’ CUP CROWN

http://sports.tv5.com.ph/basketball/pba/article/sports5s-five-on-five-ginebra-meralco-round-2-for-the-2017-governors-cup-crown#ixzz4vHEaNEnN

 

1. Which key player who wasn’t present in last year’s finals will have the biggest impact on this year’s finals: Greg Slaughter, Jared Dillinger, Ranidel De Ocampo, or Kevin Ferrer?

Chuck: Greg Slaughter. He showed just how much of a matchup nightmare he can be, as he came off the bench and tortured the bigs of TNT. Meralco doesn’t have the bigs to matchup with Gregzilla, but who actually does? They’re going to have to show different bigs at Greg, and their defense is gonna scramble to adjust to his presence on the floor. And the most important thing is to stay out of wire. They can’t afford to put Barangay Ginebra in the penalty early, as Ginebra is elite at attacking the basket.

Charlie: Slaughter. He is seven feet tall with a feathery touch around the basket and out to the perimeter. His presence alone will cause Meralco problems on both ends. He can hit free throws and is a willing and capable passer when doubled or in trouble. Obviously, JD and RDO make Meralco much more potent offensively and give the team much-needed championship experience. They may prove to be the difference makers by the time the Finals are over, but now, I will go with Greg.

Carlo: The champions of the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup added a player who is one of the favorites to win the Best Player of the Conference in Greg Slaughter. I don’t have to say anything else. Slaughter has no natural matchup from Meralco which means Allen Durham might have to be on him at some point. All the other additions to this budding rivalry will definitely spice things up but I don’t think any of them could match the numbers that Slaughter will be having.

Jutt: I think it’s still going to be Greg Slaughter. Size has been the biggest advantage of Ginebra over every other team. Size is also one thing that you could say Meralco doesn’t have a lot of – especially with the suspension of Kelly Nabong. The presence of Slaughter adds more to the long list of match-up problems that Coach Norman Black will have to deal with in this series.

Noel: A tie between Greg Slaughter and Ranidel de Ocampo. Slaughter has been on a tear and could wind up winning Best Player of the Conference (BPC). He’s a solid fixture in the middle for Tim Cone’s very tall line-up and quite frankly (perhaps with the exception of Allen Durham) no one on the Meralco frontcourt can even come close to matching up with this seven-foot behemoth when he gets the ball in scoring position. I’m tying him with Hodor because of the incredible dimension the 14-year veteran brings to the forefront for the Bolts. De Ocampo is a defender’s nightmare as he spots up, gets by you and passes to those already getting good position under the Ginebra defense (maybe Durham, Cliff Hodge, Reynel Hugnatan, you name it). RDO is a winner and he will infuse his magic touch, unless he is somehow stymied.

2. Which team is stronger this year?

Chuck: Meralco is definitely reloaded with RDO, Mike Tolomia, Garvo Lanete and a vastly improved Baser Amer. But it’s difficult to bet against Ginebra, especially when they’re playing at full strength. Joe Devance is such a huge piece of the team, with his ability to move the ball around. Greg Slaughter has also looked better with each passing game, and is such a game changer when he comes off the bench. They might not have the balance that Meralco has when you consider their bench, but Barangay Ginebra is still coming into this Finals series with a ton of momentum.

Charlie: This is so tough. They’re both better than last year. For Ginebra, Slaughter is active, Scottie Thompson is no longer a rookie, and the other core players are back from last year, including Meralco-killer Justin Brownlee. For the Bolts, JD and RDO are there, Baser Amer is playing inspired ball, and the addition of outside gunners Tolomia and Lanete will surely help. Of course, Allen Durham’s abilities are undeniable. Top to bottom, and because we are duty-bound to choose because of our editor’s question, I’ll say Ginebra is stronger, but maybe by a score of just 10 to 9.75.

Carlo: The return of Slaughter is undoubtedly huge for Ginebra. However, the addition of Ranidel De Ocampo and Garvo Lanete, the availability of Jared Dillinger, and the vast improvement of Baser Amer has allowed them to better than how they were last year.

Jutt: It’s tough to say. Meralco swept Star in the semifinals. But Ginebra also brought down two high caliber teams in San Miguel and TNT. But if I had to choose, I’d go with the Bolts. They did top the elimination round afterall. And while some can argue that the standings were so close, well they did get wins over big teams – including Ginebra.

Noel: Ginebra, but not by much. Slaughter’s entry is hard to offset, and he’s playing mature basketball realizing that he is the biggest player out there. Justin Brownlee had a serious breakthrough in Game 4 of the semis and with LA Tenorio being his usual playoff self, the supporting cast of Ginebra just has to ride the flow. They killed San Miguel in the quarterfinals, leapfrogged TNT in the semis and they are primed to unleash everything they have left against the Bolts starting Friday in Lucena. The Bolts have added two key pieces in de Ocampo and Mike Tolomia, but are still undersized–especially with the indefinite suspension of Kelly Nabong.

3. Barangay Ginebra can win it again because…

Chuck: A lot of their success will depend on Joe Devance’s health. If his hip doesn’t bother him in the Finals, then Ginebra should be the favorites. They’re the defending champs. They have Greg Slaughter. You know the drill.

Charlie: They’ve won it already before, even without Slaughter. They have proven to be solid, from top to bottom, they have intimidating size, have shown the ability to thoroughly outplay teams and also to fight back after being down to recover and win. This team has a confidence about it, a certain degree of arrogance even, especially when things are clicking and they are punishing their opponents. A Tim Cone-coached team can always win due to his plain mastery of the game and ability to adjust. Plus, the crowd will always be in their favor. Also, the opportunity to win back-to-back championships in the Governors’ Cup is a motivating factor. That is their battle cry.

Carlo: They know what it takes to win it. Sometimes, breaking the glass ceiling is the hardest thing to do. Meralco got so close to winning last season but it was taken away from them so they’re left reeling and doubting if they’re good enough to get it. The Kings have no such doubts. They were on the brink of being down 3-1 the last time around and they recovered to win it all. Knowing they can overcome big challenges makes them a dangerous squad.

Jutt: They won last year and now they have more weapons. Like I said, there were so many match up problems for Meralco last year. And the return of Slaughter adds to that. I’m just not sure how the Bolts can limit the effect of Ginebra’s size advantage, especially when Coach Tim Cone deploys that humongous lineup of Greg-Japeth-Brownlee-JDV-LA. That combo has done a lot of damage this conference.

Noel: They are the hybrids of the league and the new standard for the future. Yes, the Beermen won the first two conferences, but I believe it would have been different if Slaughter was in harness at the start of the Commissioner’s Cup with Ginebra parading Brownlee in a conference that had imports skimming the 6’9″ height limit. Ginebra has transformed into a bunch of silent assassins that have fully embraced their respective roles to win multiple championships. I’ll indicate they “NBA-Type” line-up again:

PG Tenorio (5’8″)

SG Brownlee (6’4″)

SF Devance (6’7″)

PF J. Aguilar (6’9″)

C Slaughter (7’0″)

I’d challenge China and Iran with this unit.

4. Meralco can finally win it because…

Chuck: They’re hungry. They had a taste of what it takes to win in the Finals last year, and they don’t want to be mere spectators in the rematch. They also have a lot of motivation, wanting to win for ailing team governor Al Panlilio, and Jared Dillinger’s grandmother. Those motivating factors can go a long way in pushing a team to play at their best. As long as they can control the rebounding battle vs Barangay Ginebra’s giants, they have a shot.

Charlie: Revenge is sweet. Meralco is hungry and looking for redemption. Many of them still feel the stinging loss from a year ago and realize they were so close to forcing a Game 7. They have added new pieces that can help them inside and out and their guard corps is much more impressive now despite the loss of Jimmy Alapag, who is still on their bench anyway to provide motivation and leadership. Coach Norman Black is no slouch, being a many-time champion himself. If the outside shots fall for Meralco, as they have in many of their wins, and they can run often, they can negate the Ginebra size advantage. If not, they will be in trouble.

Carlo: They’re going all-in. They know the Governors’ Cup will remain to be their best chance at winning their first PBA title and that Durham is the best import who can get them there. This is why they’ve traded what could have been a decent pick in the upcoming Rookie Draft to add a veteran like De Ocampo. They’re in win-now mode and they understand the gravity of this opportunity.

Jutt: Their young guns have grown so much over the past year. Baser Amer and Chris Newsome were already good last year. But now they’ve been spectacular. Not to mention, they’ve had solid help in the return of Jared Dillinger and the entry of Ranidel de Ocampo. In essence, Meralco had a lot of new weapons too.

Noel: The Bolts have a chip on their shoulder and don’t feel respected as a contender. That’s why they’ll put all their firepower together and blow Ginebra out of the water in a series that will have psychological implications down the line. Jared Dillinger is playing the best basketball of his career as a Meralco member and Baser Amer has now morfed into a Jimmy Alapag/Ronnie Magsanoc clone. Add to that potent mix the ruggedness of Hodge, the veteran smarts of Hugnatan, the detonations of Garvo Lanete and the RDO factor and, oh, there’s Durham–who has my vote as Best Import anew. If it will come down to which team is out to prove something, then Meralco will have that edge especially after showing tremendous character in climbing out of holes that had them almost left for dead. They are now in complete championship form and if they stay hungry, they may wield that dethronement axe for their first ever title.

5. Predictions.

Chuck: Ginebra in 7, with the caveat being Joe Devance’s health. I think he’s that important to Barangay Ginebra. If he’s not 100%, the Bolts have a good chance to take this entire thing.

Charlie: This will go six or seven games. I’ll venture to say Meralco if it ends in 6, or Ginebra if it goes to a 7th game. I hope every game is close, hard-fought, and as entertaining as those in last year’s series. I hope the season ends with a bang again. May the best team win!

Carlo: Before the conference even started, I felt that a Meralco-Ginebra series was inevitable. They were on a collision course and, luckily for us, it happened in the finals. I’m not at all comfortable with picking a winner in this one but Ginebra might have just enough to keep Meralco at bay for now. Kings in 7.

Jutt: Meralco in seven. I would sure love for this series to go seven games.

Noel: Ginebra in 7. I give this to the defending champions because they are just that: the defending champions. It will be difficult to snatch that crown away from them and carnage may ensue in that regard. The Slaughter factor is the biggest component. If Ginebra stays healthy, follows Cone and remain steadfast (and not get psyched out), then they should emerge with the trophy when the smoke clears from what should be the best Finals series of the season.

Edited October 12, 2017 by daphne loves derby

[photographer]

https://pba.ph/news/standhardinger-leads-43-other-applicants-in-pba-rookie-draft

 

Fil-German forward Christian Standhardinger and marquee homegrown talents Kiefer Ravena and Jeron Teng lead a total of 44 players who made themselves available for the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft set Oct. 29at Robinson's Place Manila.

Raymar Jose and Jett Manuel, who suited up with Chooks To Go Pilipinas with Ravena and Teng in the recent FIBA Asia Cup, also listed up for the coming draft exercise where the Kia Picanto will be No. 1 in the draft order.

Fil-foreign players Jason Perkins from La Salle and Davon Potts from San Beda are among the top prospects.

Felix Apreku of Letran, Julian Sargent of La Salle, Andreas Philip Cahilig of the Cignal team in the PBA D-League, Robert Herndon of Wangs and Zachary Nicholls of Arellano U are the other Fil-foreign hopefuls.

Also making the initial draft list are Jian Lloyd Abrigo, Monbert Arong, Wilson Baltazar, Arvie Bringas, Jebb Bulawan, Elmer Cabahug, Gwynne Capacio, John Karlo Casino, Gabriel Dagangon, Christian de Chavez, Jeremiah dela Pena, Ebrahim Enguio, Lervin Flores, Joseph Gabayni, JonJon Gabriel, Christian Geronimo, Jayson Grimaldo, John Ervin Grospe, Michael Vincent Juico, Christian Moralde, Joseph Nalos, Rey Nambatac, Clyde Drexler Neypes, Sidney Onwubere, Jerome Ortega, Emil Palma, Roldan Sara, Jomari Sollano, John Rey Sumido, Mark Jayven Tallo and Thomas Torres.

They go through the rookie draft combine before the PBA Commissioner's Office makes the final draft pool.

Standhardinger, at 6-foot-7, is the tallest among the hopefuls. Other players standing 6-4 and above are Apreku, Baltazar, Bringas, Bulawan, Gabayni, Gabriel, Grimaldo, Grospe, Jose, Neypes, Onwubere and Sollano.

[darksoulriver]

yung Sidney Onwubere @ 6'4" magandang experimental player para sa BGK... pinapanood ko yung current NCAA promising itong batang ito.... masipag sa depensa though may kunting problem sa choice of shots na ginagawa nya. pero he's good replacement for JJ or Caguiao for the future.

 

yung CJ Perez sana kaso hindi sumali sa draft

[mamborico]

Sana umabt ng game 7

[*kalel*]

THE rivalry between Barangay Ginebra and Meralco is just starting to blossom as the two teams face off in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals for the second straight season.

But if you dig deeper, there’s more history between the two teams as well as the players involved in the title series that unfolds with Game One on Friday night in Lucena.

We count down some trivia from 10 to 1.

10 – This is the 10th finals appearance of Ranidel de Ocampo, who made it to his first finals stint in the 2008 Fiesta Conference with Air21, coincidentally against Ginebra, which won in seven games.

9 – Allen Durham has recorded or at least came close to a triple-double (minimum seven assists) nine times this conference, averaging 25.4 points, 20.1 boards, and 6.8 assists, along with 1.3 blocks in 39.9 minutes in 16 games so far. And expect the reigning Best Import to keep stuffing the stats sheet for the Bolts to get over the hump this time.

8 – Joe Devance is going for his eighth championship – all under Tim Cone - to climb to second most among active players, in a tie with Marc Pingris and Danny Seigle.

7 –Meralco is searching for its first championship in its seventh season in the PBA after buying the Sta. Lucia franchise, which Norman Black also coincidentally steered to its first franchise title in the 2001 Governors’ Cup, beating San Miguel Beer.

6 – Six imports have led Ginebra to a championship, and Justin Brownlee is looking to become the first import to win two titles with the Gin Kings, according to chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III.

5 – San Miguel Corp. teams have won the last five finals meetings against their MVP counterparts – 2017 Commissioner’s Cup between SMB and TNT, 2016 Governors Cup between Ginebra and Meralco, 2014 Commissioner’s Cup between San Mig Coffee and TNT, 2012 Commissioner’s Cup featuring B-Meg and TNT, and in the 2011 Governors Cup pitting Petron and TNT. The last time an MVP team won over an SMC side in the finals was in the 2011 Commissioner’s Cup when TNT beat Ginebra. Can SMC sustain its run or will the MVP group break it?

4 – Sonny Jaworski is undeniably the most famous Ginebra player ever, but the Living Legend also has an affinity with Meralco, having played four seasons for the Reddy Kilowatts in the defunct MICAA, leading the team to the 1971 title before he was banned later that year for assaulting a referee.

3 – It’s hard to imagine that multi-titled and Grand Slam coaches Tim Cone and Norman Black have met only thrice in the finals stage, all won by Cone –1995 Governors Cup between Alaska and SMB, 2014 Commissioner’s Cup featuring San Mig Coffee and TNT, and the 2016 Governors Cup between the Gin Kings and the Bolts. Can Cone stretch his streak or will Black finally get one?

2 - Norman Black, though, has the distinction as the only coach to lead four teams to the finals at least twice – SMB, Sta. Lucia, TNT, and Meralco, according to nine-year sportswriting veteran Jonas Terrado. Can he steer the Bolts to their first franchise crown?

1 - Greg Slaughter is relishing his first Finals appearance in his fourth year in the league. Can the towering slotman join the party after missing out in the last edition of the season-ending tournament due to his knee injury?

 

nice one... pero sana wag tamaan ng law of averages ang gins hehehehe

[photographer]

NOSTALGIA filled the air when Barangay Ginebra San Miguel decided to go ‘throwback’ and wear the retro 1991 jersey for their match against Meralco last May 28.

Memories of that Robert Jaworski and Jervis Cole-led squad which stormed back from a 3-1 deficit against Shell in the Open Conference Finals came flooding back as the Barangay’s new heroes paid homage to the men which sparked the club’s unmatched popularity in the country.

No one was more nostalgic than Rudy Distrito, the hero of that epic PBA Finals.

Distrito etched his name in Ginebra lore when he received the ball near the baseline, down one with five seconds to go, and drove past Ronnie Magsanoc before taking a bank shot over two Shell defenders to ultimately seal that historic comeback.

Now based in Bacolod, Distrito took a trip down memory lane upon hearing the news that Ginebra was bringing back their old jerseys.

Twenty-six years later, the 'Destroyer' vividly remembers that glorious moment.

“Tsamba na lang talaga yun e. Sinabihan lang ako ni coach na, ‘Rudy, pag hinawakan mo yung bola, iscreenan ka ni Chito (Loyzaga) at iscreenan kita, tapos ipasa ko sayo last second, bahala ka na basta ilusot mo. Kahit hindi na ma-shoot basta ilusot mo,” Distrito told SPIN.PH in a lengthy phone interview.

“Hindi ko talaga akalain na papasok pa 'yun. Talagang puso nalang. Pakiramdam ko, para nalang to sa tao, para sa mga sumu-support sa amin. Hindi ko nga nakita yung ring dahil sa laki nung mga buma-blanka sa 'kin, nakita ko lang yung board.

"Pinabanda ko na lang, pag napektus-an ko to at tumama to sa tama ng board, pasok na to. Puso at motivation nalang talaga ni coach yun. I’m happy na pumasok siya,” he added.

Distrito said that he was actually offered to be in the venue for that ‘retro’ match, but turned it down.

“Dapat manonood ako noon. Madaming sumusuporta sakin na mga kaibigan ko, mga loyal na supporters, na sila pa magbibigay ng ticket para makalipad ako doon. Dapat interviewin din ako sa loob ng court. Kaya lang sabi ko sa kanila, next time na lang siguro kung kailangan na talaga pumunta dun,” he added.

 

 

Distrito, who spent two years in prison in the US for voluntary manslaughter, said he is happy to lead a simple and quiet life in his hometown of Bacolod - a stark contrast to his high-flying days in the PBA where he was among its most controversial players.

The former University of the East guard, now 59, consciously stays away from the spotlight, rarely granting interviews. But he can go on and on when talking about Ginebra.

"Simple nalang yung life ko. I’m happy na ganito nalang ginagawa ko, support nalang sa dating team. Basta support nalang sa sports,” he said. “Sa totoo lang, hindi na ako nagpapa-interview. Pero pagdating sa sports, binibigay ko basta Ginebra.

Playing-coach Robert Jaworski, he said, turned that team into the 'never-say-die' team that endeared itself to millions of basketball fans.

“Si Jaworski at that time, ang iniisip niya, hangga’t di binibigay yung trophy, don’t give up. 'Yan ang sinasabi sa amin parati ni coach. Everytime na nagkaroon ng ganyang situation yung nakakabalik kami, dahil sa motivation niya na kailangan pahirapan natin sila. Hindi pwedeng basta-basta lang ibibigay,” said Distrito.

“Tapos meron pa tayong support, may fans na napakarami, hindi talaga namin sila kaya ipapahiya at binibigyan namin sila ng magandang laban.”

After publicly admonishing his old ballclub three years ago for its lackadaisical effort while on the depths of an eight-season winless spell, Distrito said he now sees – and appreciates – the club’s 180-degree turn not only in terms of success but in its effort as well.

[see Distrito urges Caguioa to act like a true leader]

Distrito said he is now seeing the old Ginebra fire in the present-day Kings.

“Nandiyan na. Nakita ko, nanonood ako, nakikita ko yung situation na kahit natatalo sila, andun pa rin yung mga players. Hindi kagaya nung dati na panahon nung mga nakaraan na parang lousy talaga, nakakainis e, parang ayaw mo na manood, nananalo na, matatalo pa, matatambakan pa. Nakakainis noon,” Distrito said.

“Siyempre dati akong player, hindi naman ako nakakatikim ng tambak na ganyan. Yung sa amin noon, hindi naman kagaya ng sweldo noon at sa dati, nagkakaroon ng mga panahon na hindi kagandahan.”

 

The resurgence of his old club is one of the things that brings him joy these days, Distrito said.

“Ngayon, nakita ko talagang magaling na. Support na lahat. Andyan na lahat. I’m happy na bumalik na yung never-say-die attitude. Tuloy-tuloy na yan. Yung mga fans andiyan na. Masaya ako. At magaling yung coach nila, talagang napakagaling.”

Who knows? The current revival may give him one good reason to swing back to Manila and catch his old team in action.

Read more at http://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/special-reports/rudy-distrito-says-hes-starting-to-see-old-ginebra-spirit-in-present-day-gin-kings#pflfl54m5QLgQAtx.99

[vienvenido]

The dstroyer!

[daphne loves derby]

Game Day!

 

Our team's plan is obvious and given, pound the ball inside to Greg, JDV and Japhet. And we know Meralco's plan is to run and gun and play zone defense.

Magkakatalo sa in game adjustments

 

Lets Go!!!

 

PS: I hope matapalan ng malupit ni japhet or jdv to si Dillinger, Imagine the roars of our kabarangay's.